Christmas Card Club Fun!

Well, our numbers are growing in this popular class. As many of you know, my daughter Tiffany, also a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, and I team up for our classes. It makes for more fun for all of us as there are two demonstrators on hand to coach all the stampers, pass supplies, and help to bring together all the creations in a timely manner!

We have expanded to offering two sessions for each Christmas Card Club Class: 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. on the 2nd Saturday of each month through December. The morning session seems to fill up first--I guess we have lots of early birds! I'm giving you a heads-up on this so that if you are really wanting that morning session, you register early to ensure you get your spot in the time of your choice. The paypal buttons are below. Class fees, as usual, are $20 all supplies included except basic adhesive. (And there is a $.75 paypal fee added--you may pay by check or cash as long as you do so by the deadline.) So sign up for the session you desire, and let's stamp!

(If you don't know what basic adhesive is or wish to know more about the best adhesives to use for card making, give me a call at 210-492-3218 and we will talk adhesives! In addition, if anyone would like to purchase a new adhesive, let me know when you reserve your class, and I will have one here and ready for you, and you only pay 10% shipping.)

12 Weeks of Christmas

Would you like to receive 12 free Christmas projects for creating your own cards, gifts, and wrappings/tags? Then sign up for my newsletter in the upper right hand of this blog. The 12 Weeks of Christmas is my Christmas gift to all my newsletter subscribers. If you are not yet a subscriber, don't miss this opportunity! The projects begin on Wednesday, September 30th. Sign up today and be on your way to heartfelt , handmade holidays:)

How do you get the 12 free projects? Go just to the immediate right side of this blog and enter your info in the "Sign Up for My Email Newsletter" box. That's it! You will receive, absolutely free, 12 great projects with photos and instructions, helping you get ready for heartfelt, handmade holidays.

World Card Making Day Event

World Card Making Day began in 2006 as National Card Making Day. Founded by Paper Crafts magazine to bring card makers together at the beginning of the busiest card-making season of the year, it was first held on October 7, 2006. The initial celebration involved the Paper Crafts magazine audience only; however, due to the positive response it received and the worldwide popularity of card making, the holiday became known as World Card Making Day from then on.

Now in its fourth year, World Card Making Day is celebrated annually on the first Saturday in October. It's a day for the card-making community everywhere to unite and celebrate the connection and creativity that is the heart of card making.

World Card Making Day is a holiday especially for card makers around the world to:

• Celebrate the creativity of handmade cards and the personal connection that they create between friends and family
• Kick off (and get a head start on) the holiday card-making season

Join me in my Stamping Studio for this free event on Saturday, October 3rd from 10-12. It's come and go with juice, tea, and baked goods provided. You will make a custom designed card, browse samples in the Studio, meet some new friends and probably run into some old ones! Celebrate World Card Making Day by making your own card and then giving/sending it. No hoarding these cards allowed! Please rsvp by Thursday, Oct. 1st at 210-492-3218 or crattray@sbcglobal.net so I can prepare for you.

Cash for Christmas

I love being able to make my Christmas cards and projects while purchasing all my supplies at a discount, selling some of those same items at various craft shows and bazaars, teaching classes, holding workshops, the works! Being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator allows me to wear many hats and to enjoy the style of each one:)

I also love the flexibility of getting to choose which activities I wish to host and how much time I want to devote to them. And I love the paycheck I receive! If you would like to know more about having your own, customized stamping business, call me at 210-492-3218. There are demonstrator meetings on Monday and Thursday of this week (Monday, 9/21 and Thursday, 9/24). I would love to have you as my guest to learn a bit more about what it's like to be a demonstrator. You can also email me at: crattray@sbcglobal.net

September Techniques Class

This month we are creating two different designs, both using the Cracked Glass technique. This is a fun, artsy technique and creates a vintage, antique look with a lot of character in just minutes. You can use this technique in so many ways. Here is one of our designs

The stamp sets we will be using are Lovely as a Tree and Autumn Days. Here are the rest of the details.

We will be making 2 cards each of 2 different designs with "cracked glass". This class is more intense than a regular card class. You don't have to be a veteran stamper--just have a desire to learn some of the more in-depth techniques that cannot be taught due to time constraints in a normal card class. Class fee: $20, all materials supplied except your Snail or Anywhere Glue Sticks. So bring your basic adhesive of choice, the rest is mine to provide. Remember, bring a friend-that is new to me- and receive 50% off your class fee. The more the merrier! Your $10 credit can be placed towards another class or Stampin' Up! product:) Class is Friday, September 25th, 6:30-8:30 and I need your RSVP with payment by Wednesday, September 23rd. That's just around the corner, so here's the paypal button for your convenience. (There is a $.75 paypal fee added.) Class is in the Stamping Studio: 13246 Trentwood, San Antonio, TX 78231

Call me at 210-492-3218 if you wish to pay by cash or check or just to chat about stamping and stuff!

This Saturday-Stamping for Soldiers

Come on out for this great charity event. We will be stamping thank you cards for our injured and homeless veterans and writing expressions of appreciation for what they have done for our country. There will also be a box for collecting some personal items for the vets: personal size toiletries, pocket combs, books, and magazines (3 months old or less). Let's give back to those who have given so much in order that we remain free.

Our cards and gifts will be hand delivered to patients at the VA Hospital in the medical center. Many of you know Alicia Castillo. She is a volunteer at the hospital and the brainchild of this event!

Place: Northwest United Methodist Church
7575 Tezel Road, 78250
Click here for a map.

When: Saturday, Sept. 19th, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

RSVP: No later than Thursday, Sept. 17th. This is a free public event, but I have to know how many folks to prepare for. Children are welcome as long as they are supervised by YOU!

rsvp: crattray@sbcglobal.net or call 210-492-3218

More Fall:)

As I have said before I love, love, love fall! And ours here in San Antonio is a gift after a blistering summer. Here is another card (made by fellow demonstrator Cathy Somody) in those great fall colors and using the great stamp set, Build-a-Roo. Click here to purchase supplies and get more great ideas as well as video tutorials.

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Build-a-Roo, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Sanded Background Stamp
Ink: Black StazOn, Soft Suede, Summer Sun and Dusty Durango Reinkers
Cardstock: Watercolor Paper, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango Textured, Soft Suede
Accessories: Flower Assortment Brads, Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals.

Saturday, September 12th, Christmas Card Class
9:30-11:30
1:30-3:30, second seating

This popular class enables you to be prepared with hand-stamped cards for mailing or giving during the holidays (including the cute snowman card above). Get started now and stamp in the cool while it's hot outside. Use a variety of stamp sets and papers, learn some simple new techniques, and have fun! $20 covers all supplies. (Standard class protocol: bring your own basic adhesive.) Payment must be received by Thursday, September 10th. (Use the safe and convenient paypal button below.)

The morning session is full, but there is still room in the afternoon. The Christmas music will be playing to set the mood:)

Monthly Stamping

I spent this afternoon getting ready for my 2nd Tuesday Hostess Club. We are making 2 lovely cards and a Halloween treat bag, and I got everything prepped, pre-cut, and ready for a fun evening of stamping. This is one of the cards we will be making, designed by my very talented daughter, Tiffany Mirisoleiman, also a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and featuring the lovely Pendant Park stamp set.

Would you like a monthly girls' night out? Hostess Club is a fabulous way to make that happen. Contact me at 210-492-3218 or crattray@sbcglobal.net to learn about openings in one of my clubs. Regular stamping leads to a happier, healthier life!

More Halloween Treats!

More cute expressions of Halloween fun! This darling treat bag uses the new Stampin' Up! Fancy Favor Die with the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine. This bag can be used in so many ways, but in this photo, with a simple addition of some designer series paper, some matching ribbon, and a few punched and stamped shapes, you have a Halloween treat bag that can be used by adults or kids with equal measures of fun.

Recipe, Created by Gail Scandalito:
Stamps: Twick or Tweet (Holiday Mini Catalog)
Ink: Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
Paper: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie card stocks, Cast-a-Spell Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Big Shot, Fancy Favor Die, Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Word Window, 1 3/8 Circle and Scallop Circle Punches

Halloween Treats

Candy corn, M&Ms, and popcorn balls, oh my! Halloween is almost here, the great candy celebration (and my birthday!). I have lots of cute ideas for packaging those treats and giving heartfelt, handmade Halloween wishes to all the special people in your life. This holiday is for the young and young at heart.

This adorable card uses the Sweet Centers stamp set (item # 116521, set of 6 stamps, $29.95) from the new Holiday Mini Catalog along with the coordinating Sweet Treat Cups (item # 116802, 12 cups for $2.95) for holding treats, goodies, gum, buttons, glitter--you name it!

The Sweet Centers stamp set is not only for Halloween. It's a versatile, year round set with limitless options. Here are a few more samples.




Contact me today at 210-492-3218 or crattray@sbcglobal to schedule a custom event where you will make cool projects and earn stamps and supplies like these FREE!

Celebrate Fall!

I am so excited that my favorite season is almost here! Having just endured the hottest summer in San Antonio history, I am looking forward to fall like never before. Already, thank God, the temperatures are beginning to drop. And some of our trees are having an early autumn in response to the severe heat and drought. Nature is just helping them survive and treating us to early fall colors at the same time:)

The recipe for this card is posted below, but it features the new stamp set Leaf Lines (item #114393, set of 6 stamps, $20.95). This very versatile set of stamps has leaf images for every season plus a great text: "Live full of love. Love full of life." Since I made this card into a thank you card, I used one of my all-time favorite text stamp sets, Heard from the Heart (item #111644, set of 4 stamps, $22.95). To order any of these stamps/supplies or get a consult for your stamping needs, call me at 210-492-3218 or email me at crattray@sbcglobal. As always, you can order from my website 24/7. Just click here and then on "Shop Now."
Stamps: Leaf Lines, Heard from the Heart
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Dusty Durango, Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Garden Green card stocks
Accessories: Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Hemp Twine, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Square Punches, VersaMark Pen

Build-a-Bear with Stamps, Die Cuts, and More!

What an exciting day!! TODAY, All of our fabulously fun Build A Bear stamps, Big Shot Dies and accessories are all available to customers!!!

The exclusively designed collection includes stamp sets, Designer Series papers and Sizzix dies providing young and young-at-heart Build-A-Bear Workshop enthusiasts endless handcrafted possibilities for scrapbook pages, cards, invitations, home décor and more. The Build-A-Bear Workshop Collection from Stampin' Up! features products portraying the beloved Build-A-Bear Workshop mascot Bearemy and other furry friends. Here is the list of wonderful products available as of today along with photos of projects produced by various demonstrators:

Stamp sets

• Beary Best Friends (118052) - Set of 6 line art images perfect for coloring. Boy bear and girl bear hold different items for various occasions (balloon, flower, gift bag, party hat)
• Stamp of Pawthenticity (118054) - Set of 4 solid images
• Beary Nice Wishes (118050) - Set of 6 sentiments
• Designer Series Paper
• Pawsitively Prints (118060) - These patterns are a great choice for making clothes with our Big Shot dies.

Sizzix products

Stampin' Up! Bigz Dies

• Stampin' Up! Bear (117977) - The extra muzzle, mouth, nose, eyes, and heart are great for adding layers and colors to your bear.
• Stampin' Up! Beary Essentials (117978) - Pieces include skirt, shirt, cuffs, jacket (2 pieces), pants, and boy and girl shoes.

Stampin' Up! Embosslits Dies

• Stampin' Up! Pawsitively (117983)
• Stampin' Up! Lil' Paws (117984)

Stampin' Up! Originals Die

• Stampin' Up! Beary Merry (117980) - Pieces include shirt, pants, belt, belt buckle, holly leaves, holly berries, and bag.
• Stampin' Up! Kooky Spooky (117979) - Pieces include jack-o'-lantern costume, jack-o'-lantern hat, witch's hat, broomstick, and mask.

Stampin' Up! Sizzlits Dies

• Stampin' Up! Beary Boy (117981) - Pieces include baseball cap, satchel, satchel strap, and star.
• Stampin' Up! Beary Girl (117982) - Pieces include purse, belt, hair bow, star, and flower.