I am so excited to bring you another wonderful Guest Blogger, Laurel. She is a very talented crafty pal and member of the Gotham City Stampers Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Team. Laurel has been on our team for about a year and a half and is very successful with her edgy meetup group, Crafting With An Edge. Laurel loves to craft with an edge!
As our team prepares to attend our second Stampin' Up! Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, we are all creating our swaps to share. Laurel brings to you a very creative swap using a technique. I hope you love it!
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Stained Glass Card By Laurel Carpenter
This technique demonstrates one of my Convention swaps for the stamping convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, that will take place next week! It is my variation on a technique that Andrea Walford, a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator whose creations I admire greatly, had posted on her blog awhile back. I think this technique really showcases this terrific stamp set!
All of the products on this card are from Stampin’ Up!, except for the acetate and small paintbrushes. I used the following items:
• Eclectic Circles stamp set
• Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set
• In-Colors regular and textured card stock from Stampin’ Up! in Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango, and Crushed Curry, and a little bit of Melon Mambo
• Whisper White Card stock
• In-Colors reinkers in Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, and Melon Mambo
• SU! 1 ¾, 1 3/8, and 1 ¼ circle punches (can use others as you wish)
• Staz-on Black Ink
• Crystal effects
• Paintbrushes (or Aquapainter, but it may get messy to use it and clean it for this project)
• Stampin’ Dimensionals
• Plastic palette tray
• Snips
• Snail
First, I stamped the Eclectic Circles in the black Staz-on ink on acetate, and let that dry for a minute or so. Then, I mixed each color of reinker separately with Crystal Effects on my palette tray. Using a separate paintbrush for each color, I colored in the non-stamped side of the Eclectic Circles with this mixture to create a stained glass effect. I then let these pieces dry overnight. Tip: I would advise only mixing a little bit for each color. Working quickly was important as the Crystal Effects/reinkers mix starts to get sticky after about 45 minutes.
Next, once the circles were dry, using snips, I cut out each image from the acetate, making sure that there was enough space around each to adhere it to my card. You could also use the next size larger punch if you have enough room on the acetate to punch it out.
On the 3.75” x 5” piece of crushed curry paper, I punched out three circles of varying sizes, and then flipped it over. I snailed each cut-out acetate circle to the back of the punched-out card so it would be framed by the punched cut-out. Then, using a 3.5” x 4.75” piece of Whisper White card stock, and some Stampin’ Dimensionals, I matted the Crushed Curry piece so that the stained glass circles shone through and were slightly elevated. Then, I matted this piece to the Rich Razzleberry Textured cardstock which was sized at 4” x 5.25”, and matted that to a piece of Dusty Durango card front which was sized at 4.25” x 5.5”.
For the sentiment, I used “Thank You” from Teeny Tiny Wishes, stamped in Rich Razzleberry Ink on Whisper White and cut out with the 1 ¼ circle punch, and matted with Melon Mambo using the 1 3/8 circle punch
Stained Glass Card by Guest Blogger LAUREL
My crafty friend, Eileen, pointed me in the direction on this blog! Check it out!
Beaded Flowers by Guest Blogger Melissa
Let me introduce a FABULOUS, creative and amazing friend--Melissa. She is a member of my downline and has her own meetup group. If you live in Brooklyn, check her out! You will love all of her creations. Melissa is also a blogger and writes about all of her wonderful creations. She is a devoted member and leader of the Gotham City Stampers Stampin' Up! Demontrator Team and is my ROOMIE for the Stampin' Up! Convention. I adore Melissa and know you will, too.
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If you are like most people, you have never seen or heard of a French beaded flower. Beaded flowers can be used in every way you use silk or fresh flowers. The only difference is that it will be many, many years before beaded flowers deteriorate. That’s why they make great inserts in bridal bouquets, hair barrettes, napkin rings, corsages, "potted" plants, and so much more. The uses for beaded flowers are endless.
I started beading the summer of my junior year at college. I didn’t have a summer gig lined up and needed something to fill my time. I was really adventurous that summer, I decided I wanted to crotchet a twin-sized blanket and do beaded flowers all summer long, Well half way through the blanket (which is still at the same spot) I decided crocheting wasn’t for me and began making beaded flowers to pass the time. Now I bead to de-stress, and the reason? Because when you’re beading your mind can’t comprehend anything else, and by the time you get the flower completed you’re so happy nothing else matters. There is lots of counting involved in making beaded flowers, but the end results are always SO worth it.
How to make the flowers you ask? I used tiny round seed beads, but you can also use bugle beads, which are straight-cut tubes. Cut one piece of wire for each petal (about 1 foot for the smallest petals and 1 yard for larger petals). String beads for first two rows onto wire, and center them. Send one end of the wire around and back through only the beads for the second row; pull taut. Continue adding beads and threading both ends of wire through each row. After last row, twist wire ends together.
All the stamens for one flower are threaded onto a single piece of wire (1 yard). Thread wire through beads for the base of the first stamen, and slide beads to about 5 inches from the other end. Add beads for loop, then send wire back through beads of the base; pull taut. Continue, adding stamens. After last stamen, twist wire ends together.
Start wrapping green floral tape around the stamen wires. Add petals, one at a time, wrapping stem with tape as you go. Wrap tape down the combined stems to the desired length, then trim. Shape petals with your fingers. To make a bouquet, wrap the stems of several flowers together with floral tape.
Don't be daunted by all the numbers! Beading flowers isn't hard. Just follow along, taking your time and improvising as you wish. Labels: beaded flowers, Brooklyn, flowers, Gotham City Stampers, Melissa Martinez, Stampin' Up
Stampin' Up! Demonstrator
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I love this stamp set, BIRD ON A BRANCH! I just received it at a meetup at my friend and downline, Laurel's. It is beautiful and so useful. I decided to use it with the new LOOK HERE POP UP DIE. I cut off the arrows and added birds!
You Glow Girl!
It’s time to get glowing skin! My first homemade bath project was a batch of sweet smelling sugar scrubs that I made for my family. They loved it! I love sugar scrubs because they’re fairly simple and cheap to make from ingredients found in your own kitchen cupboard. Plus, you can give this away as fun summer gifts to all your friends and they will think you're soooo crafty!
Here’s a great little recipe for a sugar scrub that will help exfoliate your skin in the shower and leave you feeling soft and supple. You glow girl!
Basic Sugar Body Scrub:
1 clear plastic jar
1 cup sugar (brown sugar, raw, turbinado or any type will do)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (grapeseed or jojoba are good alternatives)
A few drops of a scented fragrance oil (optional)
Directions: In a plastic bowl, mix the sugar and olive oil and if you like, you can add a fragrance to make it more fun. Try lavender essential oil to soothe your senses or a citrusy fragrance oil for an energizing experience. Fragrance oils are safe for use on skin and can be purchased at your local health food store or online. Put the mixture in a plastic container or jelly jar and keep in the bathroom for use anytime. This scrub works best during a warm shower. Rub all over your skin and rinse off. Enjoy!
Note: After time, it’s normal for the oil to rise to the top and the sugar to settle to the bottom. Give the mixture a quick stir and you’re back in business! Labels: body products, Corris Little, crafting, Heidi Davenport, New York City, Stampin' Up, sugar scrub
I am so excited to introduce a new monthly scrapbooking Club--Sunday Scrappin'. I will be holding real scrapbooking classes at The Mecca in New York City. If you live too far away, stay tuned for online kits available for purchase--more to come on those!
To get us started, I am offering a one time deal for a LIMITED TIME!
Order a 12X12 Linen Ring Album (Natural, Mellow Moss, Real Red or Navy) which includes 10 page protectors AND 20 additional page protectors ($41.02 value) for ONLY $33.00!
You save on shipping/handling AND you get a 20% discount for purchasing this Scrapbooking Bundle!
Order now to have your scrapbook ready for our first Sunday Scrappin' Class!
Join the Stamper’s 10 Club!
What is a Stamper's 10 Club?
Think of the Stamper's 10 Club as a way to get everything from your Stampin' Up! Wish List slowly and affordably - and some of it even for free!
Updating your home Decor? You can order Decor Elements from the Stamper's 10 Club too! New designs are always being released.
What do I have to do?
Call me or e-mail me with a Stampin' Up! order totaling $15 or more once a month for just 10 months! There is no club fee, the money you spend is only in Stampin' Up! Product.
How does it work?
There will be 10 people in each Stamper's 10 Club and each club will last for 10 months. Since there are 10 people spending at least $15, every club order is guaranteed to total $150 -- the minimum order amount needed to earn free stamp sets and products from Stampin' Up! Since there are 10 people and 10 months, this allows each of the club members to take a turn picking out free product.
So it lasts for 10 months, but from when to when?
These next groups will run from August 2009- May 2010.
How and when do I get orders to you?
You can call or e-mail me with your order and pay by Money Order, Check, Paypal. The orders and payment are due by the 15th of every month.
Do I have to attend anything or host a workshop?
No! You are under no obligation to attend or host anything! Of course, you can if you want to!
I live out of state or long distance. Can I still be in a Stamper's 10 Club? Absolutely!! You will just be charged an additional $5 per month to help with the extra shipping costs.
What are some other club benefits? If the FREE Hostess Exclusive Stamp Sets and FREE Shopping Dollars aren't enough for you, there are some other club benefits as well.
Check them out:
I am thrilled to mail a BRAND NEW Stampin' Up! Catalog to you, if you do not have one.
•Receive FREE Mini Catalogs directly in the mail from Stampin' Up! Headquarters -- fresh off the press!
•All Stamper's 10 Club members will receive $5 off all classes that I teach in my home. If you are a long distance customer, you will be able to purchase my classes "By Mail" and receive a $5 discount off the "Class by Mail" Price.-STAY TUNED for the launching date of this!
•All Stamper's 10 Club members will receive 1 Club card per month with their order. This Club Card is a project included with your order to keep you inspired and get your creativity flowing.
How can I join? Just e-mail me at fluteprincess619@yahoo.com or call me at (917)280-1095! But space is limited, so contact me today! If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask!
This is another fun WOW card which was made using mostly brand new Stampin' Up! products. I am in love with the new IN COLORS especially Rich Razzleberry.
The inside of this card would have extra POP so I tried to keep the outside very simple and streamlined. Too busy on the front means TOO busy all around. I usually like designs that are pretty streamlined.
This cake card was created using the CAKE POP UP DIE from Stampin' Up! It is so much fun to use and quite easy--once you get the hang out it. The nice thing is that Stampin' Up! provided full color instructions inside the package and a video with great instructions.
Congrats to Kristina Seymour! She is the lucky winner of Stampin' Up! Products from the RemARKable New Catalog Blog Tour - 2009/2010 Catalog Scavenger Hunt. Keep checking my blog daily for new crafty updates and fun things to create.
Tonight, I had a great time making WOW! cards with JennyB. and her great friend, Jen. We made 3 cards (stay tuned for the next two soon). This card used CHEERS TO YOU STAMP SET and TALL TALES DESIGNER SERIES PAPER. 
This card is really easy to make and I love that we learned it at Stampin' Up! Convention 2008. It brings back lots of memories for me. - Prepare the front of your card to your liking.
- For the inside pop up part of the card, ou simply punch out circles and then cut them into spirals.
- The bottom of the spiral gets glued to the bottom of the card.
- Close of up the spiral. Then, put snail on the top of the spiral.
- Close the card and the top of the spiral now sticks to the top of the card.
- Add embellishments to the spiral--in this case the yummy drinks and sentiment from this stamp set.
These are the last two Coney Island pages from that little day trip. I am so glad that I have these pictures as 2008 was the last summer for Coney Island as we all know it.
These are two pages that I started forever ago and just tonight added the finishing touches. These pictures happened over about five minutes of my youngest sister, Ashley's wedding. They are some of my favorite pictures of the day because it's just us being us. 
I LOVE to scrapbook and have been for about 11 years. BUT, with my exciting life of meetups and my Stampin' Up! Team (and a full time teaching job)--scrapbooking rarely happens. As a teacher, I vowed to spend a lot of my summer break scrapbooking. Currently, I am working on a chronological book of 2008. 
Welcome to my second Guest Blogger, Corris!
Corris is a Senior Supervisor and Stampin' Up! Demonstrator in New York City. As a member of my downline, The Gotham City Stampers, she plays a very active role of leadership in our growing team. She is also a meetup organizer of two wonderful groups, Crazy For Cupcakes + Crafts (NYC) and The NYC Soapmaker's Circle. Corris is also very busy blogging about all things crafty at her popular blog Cheap Thrills at http://www.newsday.com/.
Most importantly, she is a wonderful and dear friend who I have known for only a few years. As we grow closer, it seems like I have known Corris forever. It could be that I see a big part of myself in her. I hope you enjoy her wonderful, creative post and please take moment to leave a comment. We would both very much appreciate that! Inky smiles, Heidi
Lemon loofah soap by Corris Little
Are you ready for summer? I am!
On a hot summer day, I love pouring myself a nice tall glass of homemade lemonade. So imagine my glee when I discovered this neat little recipe for Lemon Loofah soap. Trust me, it's just as good and very refreshing!
What is loofah? It's a plant that grows much like the cucumber. It can be dried, shredded and added to handmade soap for a natural exfoliant for your skin. It's a really unique ingredient to add to your homemade soaps.
Once you're done making the soap, this delightful bar smells like fresh lemons! Or if you're a candy addict, it'll remind you of a box of LemonHeads, too!
A friend who tried my soap said "It smells like fresh lemonade and makes your skin great. I didn't want to leave the shower and when I did I made a glass of lemonade."
Here's how to make your very own ...
Ingredients:
1 4-ounce bar unscented glycerin soap
1 teaspoon powdered loofah
15 drops lemon essential or lemon fragrance oil
1 4-ounce soap mold
Directions: In a double boiler on the stove or in a microwave on a low setting, melt the bar of glycerin soap until liquefied. Remove from heat and stir in powdered loofah and lemon oil. Pour melted soap into the mold and let set for three hours or until hardened.
Resources: Supplies can be purchased at your local craft store, such as Michaels or online at WholesaleSuppliesPlus.com or http://www.brambleberry.com/
Crafty Tip: For easy removal, put the filled soap mold into your fridge or freezer for a few minutes and then pop your soap out of the mold. It works every time!
Do you wanna get crafty with Corris? Join her for fun-filled soapmaking, cardmaking and scrapbooking classes in midtown Manhattan. Check out her new craft club, Crazy for Cupcakes + Crafts at www.meetup.com/cupcakestoo Labels: Corris Little, crafting, Guest Blogger, meetup, New York City, soap making, Stampin' Up
This card was done by cutting a piece out acetate using the Top Note die for the Big Shot. I then used brown paint on the back of the acetate and sprinkled it with Stampin' Up! Glitter. One the front of the acetate, I rubbed a rub-on from the Lovely Flowers Level 3 Hostess Bundle. This card was fun and very easy to do. What I love most is that the acetate takes on a wooden look.
This is a project I made as a gift for my friend and downline, Yvonne! It features some (retired) Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper. AND...it also shows off the wonderful line of Sticky Cuts and Stampin' Glitter that are both available in the new catalog!
What I love about this project is that I could pick up a really inexpensive picture frame and alter it. With the amazing products from Stamin' Up! and a great picture, I have the perfect gift. All of the wonderful ladies pictured in this frame are in my downline--(from left to right) Jen Nagel, Me (Heidi Davenport), Corris Little, Yvonne Yui, Eileen Bellomo and Bo Doodles (ok, he's NOT a team member but SHOULD be!) I hope you enjoy this and please leave a comment. :)
Last night, I attended a stamping meetup at my dear friend, Laurel's apartment. We were excited to create projects using the Bird on a Branch Stamp Set. This is an accordion card which I will finish eventually. I have an idea to turn it into a mini album instead of a card. This way, I can put pictures from a special event into the little album and give it as a gift. I loved how Laurel designed this using the brand new Stampin' Up! IN COLORS. I love Rich Razzleberry and just can't get enough of it. I am also LOVING the NEW Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper
and have been using it on just about everything!
This is another card using the same Bird on a Branch Stamp Set! I love the monotone look of this design with the lil' pop of color from the Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper. Eileen and I decided that the little dotted stamp is SOOO useful. I decided to use it to add some more texture to the textured cardstock!
Thank you, Laurel, for a nice time last night and for your beautiful and classy designs! HUGS!
Two more Samples--Are YOU Drooling yet?
This card uses new IN COLORS DUSTY DURANGO and CRUSHED CURRY!
I can't get enough of RICH RAZZLEBERRY! It is featured in this card!
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